The amazing colors of the Holi festival

The Indian holiday Holi is on March 27, but the fun kicks off before the big day in one town, where they also beat each other with sticks.

March 21, 2013 12:57 PM

Photo: DIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images

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Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the national Holi day on March 27. AFP PHOTO/ Sanjay KanojiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images less

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the ... more

An Indian woman from the village of Barsana hits villagers from Nandgaon with a wooden stick during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers (71 miles) from New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 21, 2013. During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) less

An Indian woman from the village of Barsana hits villagers from Nandgaon with a wooden stick during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 ... more

Photo: Manish Swarup, Associated Press

An Indian woman from the village of Barsana hits villagers from... Photo-4356609.58837 - Houston Chronicle

Image 3 of 28

An Indian woman from the village of Barsana hits villagers from Nandgaon with a wooden stick during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers (71 miles) from New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 21, 2013. During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) less

An Indian woman from the village of Barsana hits villagers from Nandgaon with a wooden stick during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 ... more

Photo: Manish Swarup, Associated Press

An Indian woman from the village of Barsana hits villagers from... Photo-4356611.58837 - Houston Chronicle

Image 4 of 28

A villager from Nandgaon teases an Indian woman from Barsana village during the Lathmar Holy festival, the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana 115 kilometers (71 miles) from New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 21, 2013. During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) less

A villager from Nandgaon teases an Indian woman from Barsana village during the Lathmar Holy festival, the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana 115 kilometers (71 miles) from ... more

Photo: Manish Swarup, Associated Press

A villager from Nandgaon teases an Indian woman from Barsana... Photo-4356613.58837 - Houston Chronicle

Image 5 of 28

Indian women from Barsana village hit villagers from Nandgaon with a wooden stick during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers (71 miles) from New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 21, 2013. During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) less

Indian women from Barsana village hit villagers from Nandgaon with a wooden stick during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers (71 ... more

A newly wed Indian woman from Barsana village waits with a wooden stick at the door step of her house, for the arrival of villagers from Nandgaon during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers (71 miles) from New Delhi, India , Thursday, March 21, 2013. During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) less

A newly wed Indian woman from Barsana village waits with a wooden stick at the door step of her house, for the arrival of villagers from Nandgaon during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of ... more

Photo: Manish Swarup, Associated Press

A newly wed Indian woman from Barsana village waits with a wooden... Photo-4356761.58837 - Houston Chronicle

Image 7 of 28

An Indian woman from Barsana village hits villagers from Nandgaon with a wooden stick during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers (71 miles) from New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 21, 2013. During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) less

An Indian woman from Barsana village hits villagers from Nandgaon with a wooden stick during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers ... more

Photo: Manish Swarup, Associated Press

An Indian woman from Barsana village hits villagers from Nandgaon... Photo-4356762.58837 - Houston Chronicle

Image 8 of 28

An Indian woman from Barsana village hits a villager from Nandgaon with a wooden stick during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers (71 miles) from New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 21, 2013. During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) less

An Indian woman from Barsana village hits a villager from Nandgaon with a wooden stick during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers ... more

Photo: Manish Swarup, Associated Press

An Indian woman from Barsana village hits a villager from Nandgaon... Photo-4356763.58837 - Houston Chronicle

Image 9 of 28

Indian villagers from Nandgaon arrive in Barsana village during the Lathmar Holy festival, the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers (71 miles) from New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 21, 2013. During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) less

Indian villagers from Nandgaon arrive in Barsana village during the Lathmar Holy festival, the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers (71 miles) from New Delhi, ... more

Photo: Manish Swarup, Associated Press

Indian villagers from Nandgaon arrive in Barsana village during the... Photo-4356764.58837 - Houston Chronicle

Image 10 of 28

An Indian woman from the village of Barsana hits villagers from Nandgaon with a wooden stick during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers (71 miles) from New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 21, 2013. During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) less

An Indian woman from the village of Barsana hits villagers from Nandgaon with a wooden stick during the Lathmar Holy festival the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 ... more

Photo: Manish Swarup, Associated Press

An Indian woman from the village of Barsana hits villagers from... Photo-4356767.58837 - Houston Chronicle

Image 11 of 28

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the national Holi day on March 27. AFP PHOTO/ Sanjay KanojiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images less

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the ... more

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the national Holi day on March 27. AFP PHOTO/ Sanjay KanojiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images less

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the ... more

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored water at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the national Holi day on March 27. AFP PHOTO/ Sanjay KanojiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images less

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored water at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the national ... more

Indian woman from the village of Barsana hit villagers from Nandgaon with wooden sticks during the Lathmar Holy festival, the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 kilometers (71 miles) from New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 21, 2013. During Lathmar Holi the women of Barsana beat the men from Nandgaon, the hometown of Krishna, with wooden sticks in response to their teasing as they depart the town. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) less

Indian woman from the village of Barsana hit villagers from Nandgaon with wooden sticks during the Lathmar Holy festival, the legendary hometown of Radha, consort of Hindu God Krishna, in Barsana, 115 ... more

Photo: Manish Swarup, Associated Press

Indian woman from the village of Barsana hit villagers from... Photo-4356779.58837 - Houston Chronicle

Image 15 of 28

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the national Holi day on March 27. AFP PHOTO/ Sanjay KanojiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images less

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the ... more

Indian Hindu devotees dance covered in colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the national Holi day on March 27. AFP PHOTO/ Sanjay KanojiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images less

Indian Hindu devotees dance covered in colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before ... more

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the national Holi day on March 27. AFP PHOTO/ Sanjay KanojiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images less

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the ... more

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the national Holi day on March 27. AFP PHOTO/ Sanjay KanojiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images less

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the ... more

Indian Hindu devotees dance covered in colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the national Holi day on March 27. AFP PHOTO/ Sanjay KanojiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images less

Indian Hindu devotees dance covered in colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before ... more

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the national Holi day on March 27. AFP PHOTO/ Sanjay KanojiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images less

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the ... more

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the national Holi day on March 27. AFP PHOTO/ Sanjay KanojiaSanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images less

Indian Hindu devotees throw colored powder at the Radha Rani temple during the Lathmar Holi festival in Barsana on March 21, 2013. Lathmar Holi is a local celebration, but it takes place well before the ... more

Indian laborers prepare colored powder for the upcoming festival, ‘Holi’ in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, March 20, 2013. ‘Holi’, the festival of colors will be celebrated on March 27.(AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh) less

Indian laborers prepare colored powder for the upcoming festival, ‘Holi’ in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, March 20, 2013. ‘Holi’, the festival of colors will be celebrated on March 27.(AP Photo/ Rajesh ... more

An Indian labourer packs colored powder, known as "gulal", to be used during the forthcoming spring festival of Holi, on the outskirts of Siliguri on March 20, 2013. Holi, the popular Hindu spring festival colours observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month, will be celebrated March 27 this year. AFP PHOTO/Diptendu DUTTADIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images less

An Indian labourer packs colored powder, known as "gulal", to be used during the forthcoming spring festival of Holi, on the outskirts of Siliguri on March 20, 2013. Holi, the popular Hindu spring festival ... more

Indian labourers sift colored powder, known as "gulal", to be used during the forthcoming spring festival of Holi, on the outskirts of Siliguri on March 20, 2013. Holi, the popular Hindu spring festival colours observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month, will be celebrated March 27 this year. AFP PHOTO/Diptendu DUTTADIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images less

Indian labourers sift colored powder, known as "gulal", to be used during the forthcoming spring festival of Holi, on the outskirts of Siliguri on March 20, 2013. Holi, the popular Hindu spring festival colours ... more

An Indian labourer prepares colored powder, known as "gulal", to be used during the forthcoming spring festival of Holi, on the outskirts of Siliguri on March 20, 2013. Holi, the popular Hindu spring festival colours observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month, will be celebrated March 27 this year. AFP PHOTO/Diptendu DUTTADIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images less

An Indian labourer prepares colored powder, known as "gulal", to be used during the forthcoming spring festival of Holi, on the outskirts of Siliguri on March 20, 2013. Holi, the popular Hindu spring festival ... more

An Indian labourer sifts colored powder, known as "gulal", to be used during the forthcoming spring festival of Holi, on the outskirts of Siliguri on March 20, 2013. Holi, the popular Hindu spring festival colours observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month, will be celebrated March 27 this year. AFP PHOTO/Diptendu DUTTADIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images less

An Indian labourer sifts colored powder, known as "gulal", to be used during the forthcoming spring festival of Holi, on the outskirts of Siliguri on March 20, 2013. Holi, the popular Hindu spring festival ... more

An Indian labourer leaves footprints as he sifts colored powder, known as "gulal", to be used during the forthcoming spring festival of Holi, on the outskirts of Siliguri on March 20, 2013. Holi, the popular Hindu spring festival colours observed in India at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month, will be celebrated March 27 this year. AFP PHOTO/Diptendu DUTTADIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images less

An Indian labourer leaves footprints as he sifts colored powder, known as "gulal", to be used during the forthcoming spring festival of Holi, on the outskirts of Siliguri on March 20, 2013. Holi, the popular ... more